The Nut Job
Starring Will Arnett, Katherine Heigl
Directed by Peter Lepeniotis
Even the title suggests the mediocrity that is to follow The Nut Job is the latest 3D computer-animated comedy that features a slew of Hollywood A-list actors but comes up rather short in the depth department.
A grouchy and independent squirrel aptly named Surly (Arnett) is banished from his home in the park and forced to survive in the mayhem of city life. He soon stumbles upon a nut store that could save him and the rest of his furry friends from a long, hungry winter.
The animation in the film is brilliantly rendered (though the 3D adds nothing) as director Peter Lepeniotis goes to great lengths conveying the perspective of the animal characters effectively; where The Nut Job falls apart is in story and writing. Clever visuals aside, the filmmaking team seems too intent on cashing in on familiar pop culture tropes, whether its the use of the horribly overplayed Gangnam Style dance track, a cardinal that obviously resembles an Angry Bird or even the tired old cops in the doughnut shop gag.
To make matters worse, the talented cast of voices can never really elevate the material Arnett is essentially typecast, Katherine Heigl cant even bring a cartoon squirrel to life and Brendan Fraser is downright embarrassing as a manic rodent named Grayson.Maya Rudolph provides the only genuine laughs as a hyperactive pug.
The Nut Job is a serviceable flick for children but adults will just be plain bored.
